Sternum buckle with serrated strap

Abstract

A strap assembly to be looped about split portions of tissue includes a flexible elongated strap and a buckle member attached to one end portion of the elongated strap. The strap includes a plurality of ratchet teeth along a portion thereof. The buckle member includes a base member defining a generally transverse channel dimensioned for reception of the elongated strap and a pawl member pivotally connected to the base member. The pawl member includes pawl teeth complementary in dimension and configuration to the ratchet teeth of the elongated strap. The pawl teeth interlockingly engage the ratchet teeth to secure the elongated strap in a looped tensioned condition about the tissue. The strap and buckle are preferably integrally formed of a bioabsorbable material. The assembly has particular application in sternum repair.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly to be looped about split portions of tissue, which comprises: a flexible elongated strap adapted to be looped about split portions of tissue, said strap including a plurality of ratchet teeth along a portion thereof;   a buckle member attached to one end portion of said elongated strap, said buckle member comprising: a base member defining a generally transverse channel having an entrance end and an exit end, said channel dimensioned for reception of said elongated strap, said base member including first and second opposed end walls and a pair of opposed side walls; and   a pawl member disposed within said transverse channel and being pivotally and integrally connected to an inner surface of said first end wall of said base member, said pawl member including pawl teeth complementary in dimension and configuration to said ratchet teeth of said elongated strap and adapted to interlockingly engage said ratchet teeth to thereby secure said elongated strap in a looped tensioned condition about the tissue, said pawl teeth of said pawl member facing an inner surface of said second end wall of said base member, said elongated strap being integral with an upper portion of said second end wall adjacent said exit end of said transverse channel of said base member, said elongated strap including at least an inner and outer surface, said inner surface of said elongated strap being in contact with the tissue portions when said strap is in said looped tensioned condition, said outer surface of said elongated strap including said portion of said elongated strap having said ratchet teeth.     
     
     
       2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said second end wall defines an arcuate portion dimensioned to accommodate a portion of human sternum tissue when said buckle member is in a secured position. 
     
     
       3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said arcuate portion of said outer surface of said second end wall defines a radius of curvature ranging from about 0.80 inches to about 1.10 inches. 
     
     
       4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base member includes lower and upper surfaces, and wherein said outer surface of said elongated strap integral with said base member lies in the same plane defined by said upper surface of said base member. 
     
     
       5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ratchet teeth of said portion of said elongated strap defines crest portions which lie in the same plane defined by said outer surface of said elongated strap. 
     
     
       6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner surface of said second end wall extends generally transverse relative to said elongated strap. 
     
     
       7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said pawl teeth of said pawl include crest portions which lie in a common plane generally parallel to a plane defined by said inner surface of said second wall of said base member. 
     
     
       8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said pawl member and said inner surface of said first end wall define an angle ranging from about 15° to about 21°. 
     
     
       9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a surgical needle is attached to the other end portion of said elongated strap. 
     
     
       10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said elongated strap and said buckle member and needle are integrally molded to form a single piece unit. 
     
     
       11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said elongated strap and said buckle member are integrally formed and comprise a bioabsorbable material selected from the group consisting of polymers or copolymers of glycolide, lactide, trimethylene carbonate, lactone, dioxanone and caprolactone. 
     
     
       12. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said elongated strap and said buckle member are integrally formed and comprise a nonabsorbable material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene and acrylic.